An Jin: The “Push of No Push,” Part 2
In Part 1 of “An Jin: The “Push of No Push,” I broke down Jin and what makes it so powerful. I then explained the mysterious An Jin, the “push of no push,” and how it needs both Song and Fang to work. This post gets right down to how to train it.
An Jin: The “Push of No Push,” Part 1
My teacher, Grandmaster William C. C. Chen, would often speak of the “punch of no punch” and the “push of no push.” It was his ironic way of saying...
Rick Barrett Inducted into the ICMAC Hall of Fame
What made this particular event extra special for me was being inducted into the ICMAC Hall of Fame as a Senior Master. I joined my two teachers in the Hall: William C. C. Chen had already been inducted as a Grandmaster, and Yang Fukui as a Senior Master.
Stress. Gongfu. Shen.
We each have opportunities to extend beyond our comfort zone and explore what else is possible for us. It doesn’t have to be on the big stage. Without stress there is no growth. We get to choose how much Shen we welcome into our lives.
Wu Wei and Wei Wu Wei in Taijiquan Practice
Wu Wei and Wei Wu Wei in Taijiquan Practice When your body is not aligned [形不正], The inner power will not come. When you are not tranquil within...
Yin Power in the Legs for Health and Gongfu
The power I am talking about here is of a different sort than is addressed through common forms of exercise, like walking running, swimming, cycling, and yoga. It is a “soft power”: a receptive, Yin power.
“A Wee Bit of Alchemy with Rick Barrett”: The First Six Months
Dennis McBreen has been reviewing the YouTube videos of “A Wee Bit of Alchemy with Rick Barrett” for meditations, exercises, and explanations. In the process, he has recorded the start times
Wu Xing (Five Elements) Meditation
The guiding principle of this meditation is the maxim, “The Yi (wisdom mind, intention) leads the Qi. The Qi leads the blood.” That is, when calm and clear attention and intention are brought to part of the body, the Qi is led there.
The Healing Power of Elbow Jin
My old friend David suffered a near-fatal stroke a year ago. His right side was paralyzed and the prognosis from his doctor was not good. It's been...